Advice is usually a recommendation about what might be thought, said, or otherwise done to address a problem, make a decision, or manage a situation. Everyone needs to ask advice at some stage in their lives, whether it is from family, friends, colleagues, or another trusted individual. Likewise, we all offer advice, assistance and support to someone in need of guidance at some point in time.
Watch celebrities give advice to young women
- What do you think about the advice that was given to you young women?
- Which advice do you think was the best?
- Do you think any of the advice was bad advice?
Idioms that give advice
- Don't cry over spilled milk - Don't worry about something that can't be undone.
- Don't bite off more than you can chew – Don't say you will do more than you are able to do.
- Hang in there - Don't give up.
- Bite the bullet - Be strong enough to do something painful but necessary.
- Bite your tongue - Try not to say something that you really want to say.
- Don't count your chickens before they hatch - Don't make plans based on something happening until that thing happens
Conversation Questions
- What is the best piece of advice you have received from a family member?
- What three pieces of advice will you give your children?
- Do you often ask family and friends for advice?
- Whose advice do you follow more, your parents’ or your friends’ advice?
- Do you ask your colleagues for advice?
- Who do you go to for the best advice?
- Are you good at giving advice to others?
- Do you find it difficult to give honest advice to family or friends?
- If you could give the leader of your country some advice, what would it be?
- What advice would you give someone about how to find happiness?
- What advice would you give about how to be successful?
- What advice would you give about the best way to learn English?
Phrases for asking advice
- What do you think I should do (about…)?
- What do you suggest?
- What would you do (about…)?
- What should I do?
- What could I do (to solve…)?
- What do you advise?
- What would you do if you were me?
Giving advice
- In formal conversation, advice is usually given through the use of modals (should, could, would, if I were you).
- I think you should…
- If I were you, I would…
- You could…
- Formal advice often uses the words ‘suggest’ or ‘recommend’
- I suggest seeing a doctor (or I suggest that you see a doctor)
- I recommend reducing costs (or I recommend that you reduce costs)
- Informal advice often uses phrases such as ‘I think, ‘I feel’, and ‘In my opinion
- In my opinion, you should quit smoking
- I feel that you are working too hard
- Giving strong advice involves the use of imperative verbs
- You must see a doctor
- Stop drinking so much
- Try walking more
What advice would you give in the following situations?
- I want to quit smoking. What should I do?
- I have just lost my job. I haven't told my husband/wife yet. How should I tell him/her?
- I want to lose weight. What should I do?
- I won the lottery. How should I spend the money?
- My son told me he is bullied at school. What advice can I give him?
- I am always late for meetings. How can I change that?